Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reconstituted its administrative committee, replacing Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir with Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas as a member, according to an official notification.

The notification, issued by the registrar with the approval of Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, said the chief justice will continue to head the committee.

Under the revised composition, Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas has been inducted into the committee in place of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, while Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan will continue to serve as members.

The administrative committee is responsible for making key administrative decisions relating to the functioning and management of the Islamabad High Court.

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for the successful execution of Operation Shaaban by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police after the Mangi Dam Police Station incident.

The president commending the professionalism of the security forces and law enforcement agencies underlined that the Operation Shaaban has once again proven that the forces are fully capable of dealing with every threat, a Presidency’s news release said.

President Zardari underlined that the inimical elements employing proxy elements against Pakistan would not succeed in their nefarious designs as national resolve was stronger than any conspiracy.

“Anti-Pakistan elements and inimical institutions of India and some other countries want to tarnish Pakistan’s recent diplomatic achievements by using some anti-national elements as hired killers and demoralize us. We will take Pakistan’s recent achievements to their logical conclusion and defeat terrorism with the help of the nation,” the president resolved.

President Zardari underlined that there would be no compromise on defending the homeland and the state would defeat the scourge of terrorism at all costs.

In a separate news release from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz Sharif also praised the courage and valour of the security forces.

The prime minister said the killing of 75 terrorists so far in the grand operation against Fitna-ul-Khawarij was a testament to the high professionalism of the security forces. He emphasised that the strategy of the operation adopted by the forces in difficult mountainous terrain was commendable.

The prime minister also hailed the counter-terrorism action of the Pakistan Army and FC troops in repelling the terrorist attack on the police station in Khuzdar.

“The firm resolve of the security forces and the nation will remain undeterred until the complete elimination of Fitna-ul-Khawarij, and eradication of terrorism from the country. Every conspiracy to sabotage the peace and order of Balochistan will be foiled as the entire nation stands by its brave forces and police,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

Islamabad: Renowned literary icon Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was commemorated on his 20th death anniversary as speakers paid homage to his exceptional contributions to Urdu poetry, fiction and journalism.

While Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi is no longer among us, his words continue to speak across generations. His poetry, fiction, and essays remain as relevant today as ever, reflecting a vision of humanity, justice and hope that has stood the test of time.

According to media reports , Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was born on November 20, 1916, in the village of Anga in present-day Khushab District. He went on to become one of the most celebrated voices in Urdu literature, earning recognition for his remarkable contributions as a poet, fiction writer, journalist, literary critic, and broadcaster.

Throughout his distinguished literary career, Qasmi authored around 50 books spanning poetry, fiction, journalism, literary criticism and the arts. His writings, rooted in humanism and social consciousness, earned him a lasting place among the leading literary figures of Pakistan.

A master of both ghazal and nazm, he produced several acclaimed poetry collections, including Jalal-o-Jamal, Shola-i-Gul, and Kisht-i-Wafa. His short stories, celebrated for their realistic portrayal of rural life and human emotions, were compiled in collections such as Chopaal, Sannata, Kapaas Ka Phool, Bagolay, Tal-o-Gharoob, Sailab-o-Gardab, Anchal, and Ghar Se Ghar Tak.

Beyond his literary achievements, Qasmi also served as a scriptwriter for Radio Pakistan, where he contributed significantly to the country’s cultural and literary programming. His lifelong dedication to literature was recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Pride of Performance, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and the Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi passed away in Lahore on July 10, 2006, at the age of 89. Two decades after his death, his poetry, fiction, and essays continue to inspire readers and writers alike, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest literary icons of the Urdu language.

Islamabad: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Friday visited the entry point of Police Lines Headquarters to review security arrangements and inspect the entry management system.

An official told reporter that AIG Logistics Abdul Haq Umrani briefed the IGP Rizvi on the security measures in place, access control procedures and the functioning of the entry management system at the headquarters.

Rizvi conducted a detailed inspection of the security arrangements and reviewed the effectiveness of the entry management mechanism to ensure enhanced protection of the police headquarters.

The IGP Rizvi directed the officers concerned to further strengthen security measures, improve the entry management system and maintain the highest level of vigilance at all times.

He emphasized that robust security and an efficient access control system were essential for safeguarding key police installations and instructed officers to perform their duties with professionalism, alertness and dedication, the official added.

Islamabad: The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed on a bullish note on Friday, gaining 982.10 points, a positive change of 0.54 percent, to settle at 182,241.78 points against 181,259.68 points on the previous trading day.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 948.776 million shares with a traded value of Rs38.413 billion, compared to 982.121 million shares valuing Rs41.860 billion in the previous session. The market capitalization increased to Rs20.503 trillion from Rs20.382 trillion a day earlier.

Out of 495 active companies in the ready market, 292 advanced, 169 declined, and 34 remained unchanged.

Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 151.748 million shares, followed by K-Electric Ltd. with 67.530 million shares and WorldCall Telecom with 51.758 million shares.

The top gainers included Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited, which surged by Rs189.23 to close at Rs2,081.55, and Ghandhara Industries Limited, which gained Rs70.34 to settle at Rs1,168.32.

On the losing side, Blessed Textiles Limited declined by Rs63.29 to close at Rs1,008.26, while The Premier Sugar Mills fell by Rs49.29 to settle at Rs589.43.

In the futures (DFC) market, turnover stood at 186.207 million shares with a traded value of Rs8.065 billion, compared to 220.304 million shares worth Rs9.635 billion in the previous session.

Out of 302 futures-market companies, 205 advanced, 91 declined, and six remained unchanged.

Islamabad: The Secretary for Religious Affairs chaired a review meeting to assess the implementation of the government’s new Ziyarat Management Policy.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Communications, the Civil Aviation Authority, and other relevant departments.

Participants reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring maximum facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq for religious visits.

The Civil Aviation Authority and airlines were directed to provide every possible facility to facilitate the air travel of pilgrims.

Officials informed the meeting that, under the new Ziyarat Management Policy, 262 Ziyarat Group Organizers (ZGOs) have been registered by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The ministry advised intending pilgrims travelling to Iran and Iraq to make bookings only through ZGOs registered with the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Pilgrims have also been urged to verify the list of licensed ZGOs available on the Ministry’s official website before making any booking. The ministry will not be responsible for any bookings made through unauthorized individuals or companies.